Press Release
12 April 2010
The biodiversity conservation award given to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an affront to genuine environmentalists and advocates who have been struggling for their basic rights and welfare of their communities contends progressive green groups.
“What green credentials does Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have? From day one in Malacanang, Ms. Arroyo pushed for and implemented projects and policies that proved detrimental to our environment and communities. The Philippines remain one of the “hottest of the biodiversity hotspots” meaning we have one of the worst rates of forest degradation, biodiversity loss and highest number of endangered species,” said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE).
“The award is not only a big lie but an insult to and a conspiracy against the struggles of the communities and environmentalists in the country and elsewhere. Add to the country being a dangerous place for flora and fauna, the country is also a hotspot for environmental defenders and vocal critics of Arroyo’s policies and projects,” said Mr. Bautista.
Kalikasan-PNE has monitored at least 27 cases of extrajudicial killings (EJK), one (1) case attempted murder, two (2) enforced disappearance and several lawsuits against environmental leaders and defenders nationwide as of March 2010. All until now, have not been served the justice they deserve.
“Many of the victims were active leaders of grassroots campaigns against large dams, commercial logging, and large-scale mining operations in their respective communities. They were very vocal in their opposition to particular environmental laws, such as the Mining Act of 1995s. Most of the slain environmental workers were also indigenous people or peasant leaders by sectoral affiliation,” said Mr. Bautista.
One of the victims of the EJK is Nicanor delos Santos, a Dumagat tribe leader and Secretary-General of Makbayan Samahan ng Katutubong Dumagat (MASKADA), an indigenous people’s organization which protested against the Laiban Dam project. Delos Santos was killed by suspected elements of the Task Force Panther, 2nd Division of the Philippine Army led by Ccl. Laureano Tolentino on December 8, 2001.
Last year on March 11, anti-mining activist and community leader Eliezer “Boy” BIllanes, 46, was shot while at a public market in Korondal City in Mindanao. He was the Chairperson of Alliance for Genuine Development in Mindanao that led opposition to the Tampakan Copper Gold Project in South Cotobato and vocal critic of the Xstrata Sagittarius Mine, INC mining operations in their area.
“It is illogical to give an award for environmental and biodiversity protection to an infamous human rights violator responsible for a total of 1188 cases of EJK and 205 enforced disappearance of her critics and activists as she cannot even protect and respect the basic rights of the people,” said Clemente Bautista.
According to the group, the killings of environmental activist is just one of the countless crimes of Mrs. Arroyo against the people and environment. These human rights violations are just collateral damage, to remove the opposition and obstructions for her plunder and wholesale of our natural resources to satisfy her foreign masters and advance her self-interests,” said Mr. Bautista.
The group reminded that any organization who truly represents biodiversity and environment protection and conservation would not endorse President Arroyo or ‘honor’ her policies and projects that gear toward liberalization and foreign control of resources.
“Considering the composition and the thrust of the organizations ICCF and GEF, it is understandable that they chose to honor Mrs. Arroyo as she has been very loyal to their corporate interests of the members of the said organizations,” said Clemente Bautista.
A look at the websites of the ICCF and GEF would reveal that they are composed of transnational corporations and financial institutions who are notorious for their criminal environmental and labor practices and projects such as ExxonMobil, Wallmart, RioTinto,, Nestle, Transnational Paper, Toyota and of course World Bank.
“These corporations and institutions are those that push for liberalization of our resources and those that benefit from President Arroyo’s policies and projects. To honor her is to set an example and a message to other governments and institutions that they will be acknowledged and awarded if they follow suit,” said Mr. Bautista.
To further show their protest, Kalikasan PNE with other sectoral and progressive group will stage a protest outside the Department of Foreign Affairs tomorrow to present the award they think is more fitting for Mrs. Arroyo, “Best in Environmental Plunder, Human Rights Violations and Foreign-Interests Conservation Award ”
Reference: Clemente Bautista Jr.
National Coordinator, Kalikasan-PNE
